“Which is why the choice of a companion was considered necessary, if you will recall.” The Colonel’s voice was bitter. “And, if you will further recall, my mother offered to choose one, and you refused her offer.”
Mr. Darcy winced. “I do recall.”
“What has Georgiana told you about Ramsgate?”
“Very little.”
“And you have not pressed her?”
“If you could have seen her at that time, you would not have pressed her either.”
“And now?”
Mr. Darcy considered this. “She seems stronger now. She has…well, I suppose you could say that she has made some friends.”
“Ah, yes; you wrote my mother about them. Five daughters, I recall?”
“Yes. She plays the piano with them, plays dress-up, has her hair fixed and I do not even know what else. Things that young ladies do together, I suppose.”
“Darcy…”
“Yes?”
“About the particular concern you mentioned to my mother…
Mr. Darcy dropped his head into his hands. “I do not know, Richard, and that fear eats at my soul.”
“Can you not ask her?”
“How? Tell me what words to use, and I will ask her directly.”
The Colonel considered this and finally shook his head. “Can some woman not ask her?”
“I suppose so, but that woman would have to be made privy to our situation.”
“What about this family that has befriended her? Is there not a mother?”
“There is.” Mr. Darcy thought of Mrs. Bennet, and the kindness she had shown Georgiana. “Possibly. We are to dine there tomorrow night; perhaps you would join us and give me your opinion.”
The Colonel nodded. “Very well. I am certainly making no progress in London, so I may as well stay here another day.”
“Progress?”
“I am trying to find Wickham.” The Colonel’s tone was even.
“In London?” Mr. Darcy sounded disbelieving.
“I have a number of men working on it, Darcy; you need not sound so doubtful.”
“And if you find him, you will – what? Kill him? And then go to prison?”
The Colonel stared at Mr. Darcy for a minute before replying. “Darcy, do you truly doubt my ability to kill a man and not be found out?”
“I suppose not. I forget that you have doubtless killed a good many men.”
“A good many. Yes. And maybe more than that,” the Colonel said, wryly. “You said Georgiana is in her room; is she hiding from me?”
“She is hiding from everyone just now.” Mr. Darcy recounted what had occurred at the breakfast table.
